the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > break [verb (transitive)] > break down, demolish, or ruin > undermine or cause collapse (2)
transitive. figurative. To attack, overcome, ruin, or destroy by slow or secret methods; to undermine. Occasionally with away, down. Now rare.
transitive. To dig under the foundations of (a wall, etc.). Also transferred of natural agencies, etc.: To undermine; to render insecure by removing…